People across the nation honor the late Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday.

The civil rights leader would have been 81 years old this year. He was assassinated in April 1968.

King won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35 and led a peace march in Washington where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

While some celebrated his life's work, others honored Dr. King through service.

Seventy volunteers from several service agencies donated their time to paint, sort and clean at two Volunteers of America facilities.

VOA programs are designed to help break the cycle of poverty.

"We're just excited that people would choose Martin Luther King, Jr.'s day of observance to actually come out and give of themselves. So I'm pretty sure if Dr. King could see what they've done today he would be pleased," said Shaunta Collier-Santos, Volunteers of America.

Participants came from Rochester Youth Year, the City of Rochester Prime Program, and from Rochester AmeriCorps, which sponsored the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day project.